11 MINUTE ESSAY Greta Brasgalla, El Dorado High School The information in this PowerPoint is based on the text Reviving the Essay by Gretchen Bernabie.

Read IN THE PLAY ANTIGONE, ANTIGONE DECIDES TO DEFY THE LAW AND BURY HER BROTHER. SHE FACES DEATH AS A CONSEQUENCE FOR HER ACTIONS.

Think THINK ABOUT A TIME WHERE YOU HAD TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOUR FAMILY BELIEVES.

Write PROMPT: DOES FAMILY ALWAYS COME FIRST?

Note: You will be writing on regular lined paper, but you MUST skip lines as you write.  What does the question mean to you?  Do you believe the question to be true? Why or why not? 1 MINUTE

 Think about all of the stories you’ve read, all the books. Look at the first sentence you wrote. Now think about the stories you’ve read until you think of one that shows you how true this sentence (your first sentence) is. Indent, and tell what story you thought of, and how it shows that this sentence is true. 3 MINUTES

 Think about all of the movies you’ve ever seen. Look at the first sentence you wrote. Now think about the movies you’ve seen until you think of one that shows you how true this sentence (your first sentence) is. Indent, and tell what movie you thought of, and how it shows that this sentence is true.  You can also write about a HISTORICAL or CURRENT EVENT. 3 MINUTES

 Now think about your life until you think of a time that shows you how true this sentence (your first sentence) is. Indent, and tell what happened, and how it shows that this sentence is true. 3 MINUTES

 In the next minute, finish with something your discussion leaves you wondering about the statement. Re-read what you’ve written, and begin your last paragraph with the words “All this makes me wonder…” or “I wonder…” 1 MINUTE

Next time: Revising and Editing READ YOUR ESSAY

Next time: Revising and Editing REFERENCES: BERNABIE, GRETCHEN. REVIVING THE ESSAY: HOW TO TEACH STRUCTURE WITHOUT FORMULA. SHOREHAM, VT: DISCOVER WRITING, PRINT